Why I Use Elements to Help You Understand Your Financial Health (And How It Can Help You Feel More in Control)
Want to learn how to retire without the worry of running out of money in retirement? Click here to watch this video
If there’s one thing I’ve learned working with individuals and families on their finances, it’s this: most people are walking around with a foggy picture of their financial life.
They might know how much they have in checking, maybe how much is in their 401(k), but beyond that—it’s all bits and pieces. And even for younger people who are working hard and saving, there’s often a lingering question in the back of their mind:
“Am I doing okay… or am I way behind?”
That’s why I use Elements, a financial planning app designed to help you see your financial health clearly—like getting a regular checkup at the doctor, but for your money. Elements takes dozens of financial numbers and distills them into easy-to-understand “health vitals,” so you know where you’re strong and where you might need to improve.
Why listen to me on this topic?
I’m not here to claim I’ve worked with thousands of people or to flash big credentials. What I can say is that, in my experience, most people—even high earners—feel unsure whether they’re “on track.” And I’ve found that the sooner you get clarity, the more confident and less stressed you feel. Elements has been one of the best tools I’ve found for helping younger clients, people getting out of debt, or anyone who just wants to make smarter financial choices without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Takeaways
Elements breaks your financial life into simple, trackable “health vitals.”
It’s ideal for younger professionals or anyone wanting clarity about their finances.
It helps identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
It’s lightweight and easy to use—no giant binder or complex spreadsheets required.
Financial clarity leads to less stress and smarter decisions over time.
Why I Use Elements with Clients
1. Because Everyone Deserves a Financial Checkup
In my experience, most people only focus on their finances when something big happens—buying a home, changing jobs, getting married, having kids. But just like your physical health, your financial health is something you should check regularly.
Elements gives you a snapshot of important “vitals,” such as:
How much of your income goes toward debt payments
Whether your savings rate is strong enough for your goals
How much liquidity you have for emergencies
How efficiently you’re building wealth compared to your income
Instead of guessing whether you’re okay financially, you’ll see clear metrics—often color-coded—to indicate if you’re in a healthy range or if there’s room for improvement.
This is especially helpful for younger clients who don’t yet have millions saved but want to know whether they’re making smart moves today that will pay off tomorrow.
While no app can replace real planning conversations, Elements provides a strong starting point for building financial confidence.
2. Because Financial Complexity Overwhelms People
I’ve found that many people avoid looking too closely at their finances simply because it feels complicated. Spreadsheets, calculators, investment accounts, debts—it’s scattered and confusing.
Elements pulls all that information together into one simple dashboard. It’s like opening a health app on your phone and seeing:
Steps walked today
Hours slept last night
Calories consumed
Except instead of health, it’s your money. For example, Elements shows:
Your Savings Rate as a percentage of income
Debt-to-Income ratio
Your liquidity (cash relative to expenses)
Your wealth multiple (total net worth compared to your income)
It makes conversations less overwhelming and helps people focus on small, actionable steps rather than getting stuck on big, vague goals like “retire someday.”
Of course, it’s still important to talk through your unique circumstances and goals—an app can’t know everything about your life—but Elements makes the starting point much clearer.
3. Because Younger Clients Need a Different Approach
Traditional financial planning software often assumes clients already have large portfolios, complex tax situations, or advanced estate planning needs. But that’s not the reality for many people in their 20s, 30s, or even 40s.
Elements is built for those who are:
Paying off student loans
Buying a first home
Growing a career
Starting a family
Trying to build savings while managing debt
Instead of bombarding you with forecasts about retirement 30 years from now, Elements focuses on the present. It helps answer questions like:
Am I saving enough right now?
Is my debt level manageable?
How much cash should I keep in my emergency fund?
Is my spending sustainable?
I’ve found that younger clients often appreciate this immediate feedback. It helps them stay motivated and avoid feeling like financial planning is only for “rich people.”
Elements is not designed to replace deeper financial planning when life gets more complex—but it’s an excellent tool for building good habits and clarity from the start.
Want to learn how to retire without the worry of running out of money in retirement? Click here to watch this video
4. Because Seeing Progress Builds Confidence
One of my favorite parts of Elements is that it allows clients to track progress over time. Just like seeing your weight trend downward or your step count increase, watching your financial vitals improve can be incredibly motivating.
For example:
Debt-to-Income ratio dropping as you pay off loans
Savings Rate increasing as your income grows
Liquidity improving as you build your emergency fund
Net Worth climbing higher each year
Clients tell me they feel more empowered when they can actually see their financial progress. It’s no longer a mystery whether they’re moving forward—it’s right there in the numbers.
This visual feedback can help people avoid discouragement and keep working toward their financial goals.
5. Because Clarity Helps You Make Smarter Decisions
Ultimately, I use Elements because clarity leads to better choices. If you know where you stand financially, it’s easier to:
Decide whether to pay off debt faster or invest more
Know how much house you can afford without stretching too thin
Determine whether your job income is enough to support your goals
Identify small changes that could have a big impact on your long-term plan
Without clarity, people often make financial decisions based on gut feelings or fear, which can lead to costly mistakes.
Elements doesn’t remove all uncertainty—but it helps cut through the fog and shine a light on what matters most.
Conclusion
Financial planning shouldn’t feel like something reserved for the wealthy or for “someday.” It should be a simple, ongoing process that helps you make smart decisions today.
That’s why I use Elements—it’s a tool designed to give you clarity, reduce stress, and help you see both your strengths and your opportunities for growth.
From my experience, the sooner you gain clarity about where you stand, the sooner you can start making progress toward the life you want. And that’s true whether you’re building wealth from scratch or looking to fine-tune your financial future.
If you’d like to see your own financial vitals—or simply want to get a clearer picture of where you stand—I’d be happy to help you explore how Elements works.
Want to learn how to retire without the worry of running out of money in retirement? Click here to watch this video
FAQs
Q1. Is Elements only for younger people?
No. While it’s especially helpful for younger professionals or those in earlier financial stages, Elements can help anyone who wants a clear snapshot of their financial health.
Q2. Does Elements replace working with a financial advisor?
No. Elements is a tool that makes financial conversations clearer and easier. But working with an advisor helps tailor the numbers to your unique goals and circumstances.
Q3. How secure is my financial information in Elements?
Security is very important. Elements uses encryption and secure data handling, and I only use it with a client’s explicit permission. Like any digital tool, no system is 100% risk-free, but I’m happy to discuss how we keep your information safe.
Disclaimer: Case studies are hypothetical and do not relate to an actual client of Lock Wealth Management. Clients or potential clients should not interpret any part of the content as a guarantee of achieving similar results or satisfaction if they engage Lock Wealth Management for investment advisory services.